The Second Week of May

Printable Guide

We Read…

It’s easy to see a common thread in the readings for this week. God is our shepherd. Maybe you’re reading this, and you know exactly what this means. But maybe you’re reading and wondering, what does shepherding have to do with God? What even is a shepherd? There are many different ways that this metaphor is seen - God cares for us, knows us deeply, spends time with us, and guides us. Shepherds do all of these things for the flocks that they care for. They watch out for danger and protect their sheep. They move them to better pastures when 

Acts 9:36-43

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas). Her life overflowed with good works and compassionate acts on behalf of those in need. 37 About that time, though, she became so ill that she died. After they washed her body, they laid her in an upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two people to Peter. They urged, “Please come right away!” 39 Peter went with them. Upon his arrival, he was taken to the upstairs room. All the widows stood beside him, crying as they showed the tunics and other clothing Dorcas made when she was alive. 

40 Peter sent everyone out of the room, then knelt and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and raised her up. Then he called God’s holy people, including the widows, and presented her alive to them. 42 The news spread throughout Joppa, and many put their faith in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with a certain tanner named Simon. 

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd. 

I lack nothing. 

2 He lets me rest in grassy meadows; 

he leads me to restful waters; 

3 he keeps me alive. 

He guides me in proper paths 

for the sake of his good name. 

4 Even when I walk 

through the darkest valley, 

I fear no danger 

because you are with me. 

Your rod and your staff— 

they protect me. 

5 You set a table for me 

right in front of my enemies. 

You bathe my head in oil; 

my cup is so full it spills over! 

6 Yes, goodness and faithful love 

will pursue me all the days of my life, 

and I will live in the Lord’s house 

as long as I live. 

Revelation 7:9-17

9 After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried out with a loud voice: 

“Victory belongs to our God 

who sits on the throne, 

and to the Lamb.” 

11 All the angels stood in a circle around the throne, and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell facedown before the throne and worshipped God, 12 saying, 

“Amen! Blessing and glory 

and wisdom and thanksgiving 

and honor and power and might 

be to our God forever and always. Amen.” 

13 Then one of the elders said to me, “Who are these people wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” 

14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” 

Then he said to me, “These people have come out of great hardship. They have washed their robes and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. 15 This is the reason they are before God’s throne. They worship him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them. 16 They won’t hunger or thirst anymore. No sun or scorching heat will beat down on them, 17 because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 

John 10:22-30

22 The time came for the Festival of Dedication in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple, walking in the covered porch named for Solomon. 24 The Jewish opposition circled around him and asked, “How long will you test our patience? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 

25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, but you don’t believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you don’t believe because you don’t belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life. They will never die, and no one will snatch them from my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them from my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 

We Think…

• What stands out to you in these verses? Does anything confuse you or not make sense?

• How do these verses compare to your own experience in life or the church? What are you considering? What questions come to mind?

• Jesus tells his followers that his Spirit will be with them and they will do good work. How would the event in Acts 9 confirm this to the early church?

• What does it mean for God to be a shepherd?

We Feel…

• What emotions are you experiencing today? How are you making space for these feelings?

• Where have you seen God today or this week? What is pointing you to God (maybe it is something in creation, a friend or adult that cares for you)?

• What has God made new in your life? In your heart? 

• What does it mean to follow God’s voice in your own life?

• When have you experienced a dark valley? How does God’s presence help you in those moments?

We Believe…

God is our shepherd, but we are still given the choice to follow. God does not force us to listen to God’s voice, yet when we do, our lives are better because of it. God knows us and cares for us and guides us, and it is our decision to follow and trust or to turn away and wander off. 

We Practice…

In Psalm 23, David writes that his cup “is so full it spills over!” Grab a cup and head to a sink. Fill up your cup with a little water, then keep filling it until it is close to the top, then let it run until it’s overflowing. Consider how this cup connects to your life. When have you felt empty? When have you felt partially filled with God? When have you overflowed with God? When we spend time with God, it will spill over into our lives, and the same is true for almost anything we spend time on. What are we spilling over with? What is pouring out from our hearts, minds, and lives?